TENSION arising from China’s encroachment into the West Philippine Sea has been threatening the livelihood of fisherfolk in the area, said Pablo Rosales, national chairman of Pangisda-Pilipinas, an alliance of subsistence and small-scale fishermen. Rosales said that their hardship, exacerbated by limited government support, was highlighted when his fellow fisherman was stranded for several days after his boat suffered engine failure near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). The Chinese Navy claimed it provided food and drinking water to the stranded fisherman and coordinated his safe return with the Philippine Coast Guard. “Whoever helps our fellow fishermen in distress, wherever they come from, we are thankful. It is encouraging to see that even amid tensions, human compassion can prevail,” Rosales said on Monday. But while acknowledging the rescue as a humanitarian gesture, he added that the territorial dispute in WPS remains a grim reality. Historically, fishing grounds in Philippine waters were communal, allowing fishermen from different regions to operate safely. Today, poverty and heightened maritime tensions have forced many to avoid venturing into distant waters. “These fishermen risk hunger, family hardship, and even their lives to earn a living,” he said, adding that joint military exercises conducted by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia have further escalated tensions, creating fear among small-scale fishers who have no part in these operations. “How can anyone not feel afraid when live ammunition is being used, yet these fishermen are only trying to earn a living?” Rosales said. He called on the government to safeguard the rights and livelihood of small fishermen, noting that hardships could persist into 2026 if tensions continue and government support remains insufficient. “We will continue our fight to ensure justice, protection, and opportunity for fishermen and farmers alike. Our rights should not be trampled, and our livelihood should not be sacrificed,” Rosales said. He urged authorities to adopt a balanced approach in managing maritime security, prioritizing humanitarian cooperation while protecting national interests. He called on media and policymakers to present a fuller perspective of events at sea, reflecting the experiences of fishermen and affected communities. Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of several civic and advocacy groups, cautioned against interpreting China’s kind gesture to the stranded fisherman as a simple humanitarian act. Goitia said the Dec. 26 encounter, involving a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel and a Filipino fisherman, was publicized by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to advance a narrative masking a broader pattern of intrusion and coercion. “This was never just about aid,” he said. “It was about narrative control — using a single act to dilute a long pattern of harassment, coercion and intrusion.” The Philippine Coast Guard, through spokesman Commo. Jay Tarriela, contradicted key elements of China’s account, noting that the fisherman was moored to a payao and was recovered in less than 24 hours, with no prior notice from the PLAN regarding his location or condition. Goitia stressed that the incident occurred within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone off Zambales, an area where China has no lawful authority to conduct naval operations. “Without jurisdiction, presence becomes intrusion, no matter how it is packaged,” he said, emphasizing that genuine humanitarian acts should not be misused to imply consent for unauthorized operations. Citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, Goitia said the Philippines’ maritime rights are legally settled. “We can recognize humanity without surrendering legality. Kindness does not cancel sovereignty,” he said. He lauded the Marcos administration’s reliance on documented facts, timelines, and legal arguments rather than engaging in propaganda exchanges, calling for consistent and resolute defense of the country’s waters. “Our waters are not props. They are part of the Republic. And they will be defended as such,” Goitia said. Goitia is chairman emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, organizations that advocate for democratic reforms, stability and national sovereignty.